Scripture for Today: Ephesians 1:7-8a  ^“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.”

This Monopoly player seems to be doing pretty well!  There must be some smug satisfaction in seeing those piles of money grow.  I can imagine that he feels fairly protected from unexpected debts other players may try to saddle him with.  Winning the game looks like a goal he can reach.  But imagine if this same player tried to pocket those bills and spend them at a local store!  These “riches” are only good in a limited context of play.

Today’s verse speaks of riches; the riches of God’s grace.  And while the play money is only good for the game, these riches are eternal.  And these riches are incomparable to anything else. This grace is expressed in God’s kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Eph. 2:7) We cannot pay for the forgiveness of sin.  Trying to earn the riches of God’s grace is like trying to use Monopoly money!  The riches of God’s grace have only been lavished on those who stop trying to pay for it themselves.

How rich I am to have experienced this incredible grace!  I cannot earn it.  I cannot pay for it.  My debt of sin was too large but He paid for it all out of His unfathomable kindness to me.  He saved me by His grace but it does not stop there!  The riches of His grace continue on to make living for Him possible.  His grace gives me the desire to love and serve Him.  It is in realizing and appreciating the riches of His grace that I am motivated to live a life worthy of it!

Lord, thank you for the true riches You have lavished on me!